Wolf, remember when we talked about sliding pickups...  
 
Well, I am thinking about this utility for the Jester Bass my friend.
 
I been working out the design and engineering bugs and I came to a very good solution and still maintain the beauty of the wood.  
 
Each pickup will be controlled by 2 knobs,
respectfully: Knob (Y) and Knob (Z).
 
1. Knob (Y) controls position(s)(Slide): (left right adjustments).
2. Knob (Z) controls position(s): (height adjustments).
 
With (2) pickups, a total of 4 knobs would be required.  
 
The Knobs would look and feel like any knob used on Alembics.
 
Any and all comments are welcome...
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on December 20, 2009)

Here's a render with the pickups hidden behind the laminate.
 
I love the science of this mechanism which I will openly and freely share with Alembic. I am working on a prototype and things are looking pretty good.
 
Sliding pickups on The Jester Bass... ((((thinking...)))... I love it!)
 
This would make a beautiful Art piece, if enlarged and framed.  
 
Peace and Love -    
 

 
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on December 20, 2009)

Each pickup will be controlled by 2 knobs,
respectfully: Knob (Y) and Knob (Z).
 
1. Knob (Y) controls position(s)(Slide): (left right adjustments).
2. Knob (Z) controls position(s): (height adjustments).
 
With (2) pickups, a total of 4 knobs would be required.
 
The Knobs would look and feel like any knob used on Alembics.
 
The pickups on any bass, should only be adjusted  as high as the fret board; pickup adjusted higher would collide with the free moving strings.
 
Therefore as a solution for the Jester Bass, the frets board, should be connected and merge smoothly, and evenly with the whole whole body.
This also assures the pickup(s) (if adjusted higher with control Z) would be as high of any bass height.  
 
A Dream Alembic Fretless Bass with sliding pickups.
 
Any and all comments are welcome...
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on December 20, 2009)

Happy Holiday's and warm notes!
 
GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
 

 
The slot in the middle is lit to show where the pickup(s) are dynamically located. Knobs Z and X are positioned close enough to access the internal components to enable my adjustments while in active playing.
 
A Plexiglas (clear) membrane, will act as a barrier to keep out dust, debris, sweat and dirt from entering through the pickup slot.
 
I never seen anything quite like this from any developer, so hopefully this might inspire sharper minds to help my dream fretless become into reality.  
 
This should be a fun Alembic project for next year 2010.  
 
Sound Controls includes:
1 Volume
1 Tone
1 Q switch
 
Peace and Love -
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on December 23, 2009)

The Toma_Hawk Cyclops-Slider single pickup.
Maybe in 2012  
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on December 23, 2009)

 
What's next?

Great idea this sliding PU...
 
This is something very inovative I'd love to see. Don't know if this can cause noises or how you could made it firm enough to hold position on Slap, but you unleashed my curiosity.
 
I like the sound of a single PU, but seems potentialy frustrating not being able to change wich Harmonics PU will be under. This concept is something to develop.
 
If world not ends in 2012, I would like to see that TomaCyclop (well, if it ends I will try to meet you first!).

Oh, and Austin's Classico too...

Surely, you jest.

Jesting for sure, I have the wish (to meet tomahawk) not the fear... I was kiding beacause got shoked that Austin's bass is taking so long to be finished.

The sliding pickup system design is now complete.  
 
This bass will have 2 pickups with each having (2) sets of knobs. I designed the mechanics where the knobs could be placed anywhere on the bass, and still maneuver the picks up/down and from left to right. The pickup system will still enable me to make adjustments with the (4) Alembic pickup screws.  
 
I believe this is a breakthrough for the Jester bass.
 
Upon picking up my Toma_hawk, I will disclose my design of the Jester, and sliding pickup system to Alembic Inc., for their through review with regards to building my fretless bass called the Jester.
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on January 25, 2010)

Here's a preview how this pickup system would work.
 
The top, is and opened view/cut away view -- showing the basic controls using pulleys and  belts, which enables mechanism to move the pickups left/right and up/down, sliding along a pole.  
 

 
The bottom bass, is the general closed appearance. Based upon the design, pickup access is only allowed from the back side of the bass. The front appearance shall be fully encapsulating the pickups. The slit in the middle, is for viewing for pickup locations, and is viewable buy a clear plexiglas view. Also, this window should illuminate in aiding my view when making adjustments. I wouldn't expect the there would be a need for each individual pickup having a plastic shell, or at least the top portion should be exposed and without a cover, for full magnification performance. The bass already protects the exposed pickups from debris, and moister.    
 
Cables and pulleys, can do wonders in small spaces, and I thought I would share the concept to spark more ideas, and imagination.
 
So as you can see, the theory of having a adjustable pickup system with a clean sublime look supporting the beauty and elegance of Alembic basses is very possible for this custom bass.
 
This is a journey all over again...
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on January 26, 2010)

would it really matter if you could see where the pickups were as long as you got the sound you wanted?
 
~Taylor

Taylor, point blank... You're correct.
 
However, if I felt the mechanism was not moving as it should, I could simply check the pickup movement (via the window) without firing up the amp.
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by the_jester on January 31, 2010)